Altitudes in Right Triangles - What is special here?
- Author:
- dthurston
- Topic:
- Right Triangles, Triangles
An altitude of a triangle is a line segment that starts at one vertex and is perpendicular to the side across from it.
Our goal today is to find out what special relationships this altitude creates between different parts of the triangle.
Use the template below to find out by:
1) Checking the "Show Triangles" Box.
2) Checking the "Reflect Triangles" Box (this will flip the little pieces out of the big triangle)
3) Dragging the slider for "e" to the right (slowly)
4) If you are stuck along the way, use the "Hint" Button to help you out!
Conclusions:
In your notebook, answer the following questions:
1) What is special about these triangles?
2) How do you know?
*Use your results to answer the question on the board!